Despite many South African players turning to the Internet to play blackjack and other casino games for real money, they do so at their own risk, as South Africa has some of the strictest online gambling laws in the world. We take a look at the laws of online gambling in South Africa and what this means for online blackjack players.

Online sports betting, online horse race betting and the business of bookmaking is lawful in South Africa, provided that the person conducting such business holds the necessary provincial bookmaker's licence (s), or is using a website with proper licence (s).

Best online blackjack casino sites for South Africa

Is online blackjack legal in South Africa?

All facets of gambling in South Africa are governed by the laws of the National Gambling Act 2004, which has undergone several changes over recent years to stay up to date with emerging technologies. In 2004, the National Gambling Act first prohibited operators from offering interactive gambling services, as well as player from engaging in interactive (online) games. However, the restrictions only apply to casino games, bingo and poker, while online sports betting, bookmaking, horse racing and authorised lotteries are all completely legal, provided the operator has obtained a legal license from South Africa.

An amendment to the National Gambling Act was introduced in 2008, aiming to legalise online gambling and regulate the market. It received heavy criticism from various political and community groups and was never passed.

In 2010, a Northern Gauteng High Court ruling made it illegal for offshore online casinos to offer their services to South African players, despite their servers being located outside of the country. Even some interactive auction websites have been deemed to be forms of online gambling and were subsequently banned.

South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) has made it clear that online gambling will not be tolerated. In a press release following the 2010 amendments, the NBG stated, “Unlicensed operators are encouraged to use readily available technology and block their domains from being accessed in South Africa. Unlicensed suppliers of online gambling software and related products to operators who target RSA residents are encouraged to cease operations [development, supply, and maintenance of online gambling software] forthwith.”

Under South Africa’s gambling laws, casino sites, individual users, internet service providers and banks that process payments to gambling sites can be subject to prosecutions of up to R 10 million, 10 years imprisonment, or both. Any media channels advertising online gambling are also held accountable.

Playing real money blackjack at offshore casinos

Despite South Africa’s strict anti-online gambling laws, many players continue to turn to the Internet to try their luck at casino games, with many offshore casinos still offering services to South African players. As there have been no recorded prosecutions against players to date, we can only assume that some South African punters don’t take the laws all that seriously. Take heed that if you choose to play for real money online, you do so at your own risk and it’s up to you to be aware of the laws that apply to you.

Despite the landmark South African supreme court ruling against Piggs Peak Casino in 2012, a number of international casino operators still persist in marketing their services to players wanting to gamble in South African rands. Whilst there is likely argument – a legally unsound one in fact, that these online casinos aim to cater for non-South African residents who fall under an alternative jurisdiction, the fact that the transactions are taking place using South African currency (and most probably through the South African financial system) make them suspect.

One of the biggest challenges in monitoring and controlling illicit online casino activity – both in South Africa and abroad, is law enforcement and national priority. Developing countries usually face a barrage of social issues including violent crime, rape and entrenched corruption and South Africa is no exception to this. In fact, with the recent bombardment of news about crime in South Africa, it is easy to infer why prosecution in the online gambling space has not been actively pursued, bar the Piggs Peak case. While the legal threat clearly exists, there is yet to be an established case against South African gamblers themselves.

The irony of the situation is that many South Africans find themselves attracted to land-based casinos in the country, largely because of the perceived safety and alternative entertainment opportunities they can find in a relatively secure location. Since these casinos are properly regulated and licensed by the state, players are free from risk of litigation and their winnings may be appropriated to their local bank accounts without any issue. Still, the convenience of gambling online for real money proves very enticing for many South African players, despite the risks which are often perceived not to have any credibility.

Unlike markets likes India, which face similar legislative challenges, the South African online casino market is actually a very lucrative one for the online gaming operators themselves. Along with Australians, South Africans represent some of the highest value online gambling players in the world. Even though funding online casino accounts can sometimes be challenging using South African credit cards or bank accounts, there is no shortage of e-wallet type options like MoneyBookers and NETeller that are easily accessible for local players.

South African Casinos

So with few entry barriers, high value customers and a comparatively low risk of prosecution, international online gaming operators are unlikely to stop targeting the online casino South Africa market. If the South African government were wise, they would be best off implementing and enforcing online gambling regulation as soon as possible. Not only will it serve to control the online gambling and sports betting space, it is sure to generate significant tax revenue from licensing fees, online casino and personal player taxation on winnings. Until then, South African players will likely continue to flout the gambling law on the host of choices they have available to them.

Online Gambling South Africa

With the shutting down of Piggs Peak to South African players, below is a sample of the more well-established international casinos that cater for online gambling in Rands that have happily taken on the local market demand:

Online Casino South Africa Lawton

If you have any doubt that this is just a small sample, you check out a more comprehensive directory of South African online casinos to see the full extent of what is available. Clearly the demand is there and is being amply met – the South African government had better get a move on with formal regulation with respect to making online casinos in South Africa legal and taxable… there is tons of money on the table for them.